Mirrors Can Make Women Feel Worse About Working Out:

A study published in Health Psychology found that sedentary women who exercised in front of a mirror for 20 minutes felt less energized, less relaxed and less positive and upbeat than women who performed their workout without a mirror.

Women who exercised without the mirror also reported that they were less physically exhausted at the end of their workout, while those with a mirror reported no change in their exhaustion level.

The findings could have implications for encouraging physical activity among sedentary women, especially since the standard guidelines for exercise promotion suggest that workout rooms have mirrors on at least two of four walls.

As such, the recommended practice of placing mirrors in exercise centers may need to be reconsidered, especially in centers that are trying to attract exercise initiates, say Kathleen A. Martin Ginis, Ph.D., of McMaster University and colleagues.

Apparently the research also found that women with good body image felt negative effects in the same environment. That’s why I go to Curves.

[via Siona]